Secondary battery, battery pack, vehicle, and stationary power supply

Abstract

In general, according to one embodiment, a secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, an aqueous electrolyte, and a gas treatment structure. The gas treatment structure is configured to be capable of treating hydrogen gas using an electrical conduction between the gas treatment structure and the positive electrode.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A secondary battery comprising:
 a positive electrode;   a negative electrode;   an aqueous electrolyte; and   a gas treatment structure configured to be capable of treating hydrogen gas using an electrical conduction between the gas treatment structure and the positive electrode.   
     
     
         2 . The secondary battery according to  claim 1 , wherein the gas treatment structure comprises:
 a conductive porous substrate; and   a gas treatment layer provided on the porous substrate and comprising at least one of a hydrogen storage alloy or a noble metal catalyst.   
     
     
         3 . The secondary battery according to  claim 1 , wherein the gas treatment structure comprises:
 a conductive porous substrate;   a gas treatment layer provided on one surface of the porous substrate and comprising at least one of a hydrogen storage alloy or a noble metal catalyst; and   a layer provided on the other surface of the porous substrate and having a gas flow path.   
     
     
         4 . The secondary battery according to  claim 1 , wherein the gas treatment structure is electrically connected to the positive electrode via a resistor. 
     
     
         5 . The secondary battery according to  claim 1 , wherein the gas treatment structure is electrically connected to the positive electrode via a switching element. 
     
     
         6 . The secondary battery according to  claim 2 , wherein the porous substrate of the gas treatment structure is in contact with the positive electrode. 
     
     
         7 . The secondary battery according to  claim 1 , wherein the secondary battery is a lithium ion secondary battery. 
     
     
         8 . A battery pack comprising the secondary battery according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . The battery pack according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 an external power distribution terminal; and   a protective circuit.   
     
     
         10 . The battery pack according to  claim 9 , comprising a plurality of the secondary battery, wherein the secondary batteries are electrically connected in series, in parallel, or in combination of series and parallel. 
     
     
         11 . A vehicle comprising the battery pack according to  claim 8 . 
     
     
         12 . The vehicle according to  claim 11 , comprising a mechanism configured to convert kinetic energy of the vehicle into regenerative energy. 
     
     
         13 . A stationary power source comprising the battery pack according to  claim 8 .